Revitalizing Norwalk takes more than 'bricks and mortar'

Published 8:00 pm, Tuesday, June 2, 2009

The revitalization of Norwalk's core will go beyond "bricks and mortar" to include arts and cultural activities, such as the "pARTy in the Park" -- the mixture of arts, music and food set for June 20.

On Tuesday, Norwalk Redevelopment commissioners approved a $75,000 contract with the Norwalk Advisory Commission on the Arts and Culture to develop a "cultural district" spanning from Wall Street to the South Norwalk Train Station. The contract will engage the arts commission in the redevelopment of the area, where several large urban revitalization projects are scheduled to begin. The work will entail placing banners, markers and kiosks, as well as planning beautification projects and "events that encourage people on the streets."

"Party in the Park is definitely part of it, but the scope goes beyond it. The whole issue is to integrate the arts in all their forms into the proposed redevelopment projects and the connectivity that exists between them," Sheehan said. "The commissioners thought that this was very important in terms of the Redevelopment Agency looking beyond the bricks and mortar. They thought that it was important that ... community-event planning happens as well."

Within the "cultural district" lie a number of urban revitalization projects. Waypointe calls for new retail space, offices and housing in the West Avenue neighborhood. To the north, Wall Street Place is to include new retail, restaurants and housing. Off West Avenue, south of Interstate 95, ground has been broken for District 95/7 SoNo, an office-anchored development which also will include retail, hotel and perhaps housing.

Redevelopment agency officials say the mixed-use revitalization projects represent significant private investment in Norwalk's downtown, and that arts also must be included.

"Arts and cultural experiences within the district play a major role and provide organizational resources to promote the area as a tourist, and business home," reads an overview from the Redevelopment Agency. "Part of those activities include enhancing public spaces -- streets, sidewalks, parks, pathways and plazas. Other activities include promotional activity such as banners, kiosks, lighting, landscaping, informational and directional

Jackie Lightfield, arts commission chairwoman, said the commission will extend arts and cultural activities, and highlight existing cultural assets, such as The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Stepping Stones Museum for Children, Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum and the Center for Contemporary Printmaking.

Lightfield said the contract approved Tuesday will pay for "pARTy in the Park." On June 20, from noon until 10 p.m., residents and visitors are encouraged to enjoy arts, music, food and other activities as they walk from The Maritime Aquarium, along the waterfront, through Oyster Shell Park and onward to Mathews Parks. The event is free for visitors. The contract will pay for permits, police, garbage pickup and performers, she said.